Speech & Hearing Science, MA
for the degree of Master of Arts in Speech & Hearing Science
The Department of Speech and Hearing Science offers graduate programs of study in speech-language pathology, audiology, and speech, language, and hearing science, including programs leading to the Master of Arts, Doctor of Audiology, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, with specialization in various aspects of audiology and speech-language pathology. The department prepares scientists and professionals who specialize in the study of perception and production of spoken, written, signed, and alternative communication and communication disorders, as well as dysphagia. Graduate degrees are offered at the master's and doctoral levels.
Admission
Although a B.A./B.S. in the field is not required for admission to the clinical M.A. or Au.D. programs, recommended background includes undergraduate credit in the following areas or their equivalents: phonetics, anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism, hearing science, speech science, speech pathology, audiology, and aural rehabilitation. The M.A. and Au.D. programs begin in the fall only.
See more information about admissions.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program.
for the degree of Master of Arts in Speech & Hearing Science
In the Master of Arts degree program, students learn about speech-language pathology in medical and educational settings, as well as speech, language and hearing science. This degree may be taken as either a terminal degree or as preparation for further graduate study, including a doctoral degree. For students seeking a terminal degree, the Master of Arts program may be designed with or without clinical practicum experience.
The clinical program ensures clinical competence in speech-language pathology necessary for employment in a healthcare and educational settings, private practice, or industry. Successful completion of this program ensures that the student has met the academic and clinical requirements for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification and can choose to pursue the Illinois state certification required for speech-language pathology in the public schools. The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The clinical MA program requires a minimum of 60 graduate hours. All students in the clinical program are required to take the following courses:
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate programs and the Graduate College Handbook.
Clinical Program, Thesis or Non-thesis
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SHS 410 | Stuttering: Theory & Practice | 4 |
| SHS 430 | Development and Disorders of Phonology and Articulation | 4 |
| SHS 431 | Language Disorders in Preschool Children | 4 |
| SHS 470 | Neural Bases Spch Lang | 4 |
| SHS 511 | Assessment and Management of Voice Disorders | 4 |
| SHS 513 | Assessment and Management of Dysphagia | 4 |
| SHS 514 | Motor Speech Disorders | 4 |
| SHS 533 | Approaches to Language Diagnostics and Clinical Reasoning | 2 |
| SHS 534 | Aphasia and Related Disorders | 4 |
| SHS 570 | Evidence-Based Practice in Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology | 4 |
| SHS 571 | Culturally Responsive Practices in Communication Sciences & Disorders | 4 |
| SHS 579 | Prof/Eth/Legal Issues AuD/SLP | 3 |
| SHS 592 | Prosem Spch & Hear Sci | 0 |
| Elective hours (not including SHS 599) | 0-12 | |
NOTE: To be eligible for the Illinois state professional educator license, students must complete SHS 532, Language Disorders in School-Age Children, and SHS 575, School Speech-Language Clinical Methods. Other electives are identified by the student under the guidance and approval of their academic advisor. | ||
| Required Clinical Practica | 8-12 | |
| SHS 599 | Thesis Research (A thesis is optional, but if completed 0-8 hrs. may be applied) | 0-8 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Other Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | ||
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 min | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 | |
Non-Clinical Program, Thesis or Non-thesis
The non-clinical MA program may prepare the student for employment in industry or for a doctoral program. This program requires 40 graduate hours. SHS 592 is required and the student must build a logical and coherent series of approved courses.
For a student seeking a non-terminal degree, the Master of Arts program enables the student to undertake fundamental coursework that will be an integral part of an overall doctoral program.
The student's program for the Master of Arts degree will be determined on an individual basis, taking into consideration the Graduate College and departmental requirements. A master's thesis should be part of a pre-doctoral student's plan of study.
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate programs and the Graduate College Handbook.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SHS 592 | Prosem Spch & Hear Sci | 0 to 1 |
| Elective hours | 40 | |
| SHS 599 | Thesis Research (A thesis is optional, but if completed 0-8 hrs. may be applied) | 0 to 8 |
| Total Hours | 40 | |
Other Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | ||
| Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit: | 20 | |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 20 min | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 | |
for the degree of Master of Arts in Speech & Hearing Science
- The student will demonstrate knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes, including the appropriate biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural bases. The applicant must have demonstrated the ability to integrate information pertaining to normal and abnormal human development across the life span (ASHA Standard IV-B).
- The student will demonstrate knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders and differences, including the appropriate etiologies, characteristics, anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates in the following 9 areas: articulation; fluency; voice/resonance; receptive/expressive language in speaking, listening, reading, writing; hearing; swallowing; cognitive aspects of communication; social aspects of communication; and augmentative and alternative communication modalities (Standard IV-C).
- For each of the areas specified in #2, the student will demonstrate current knowledge of the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/physiological, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates (Standard IV-D).
- The student will demonstrate knowledge of standards of ethical conduct and skills in adhering to the professional code of ethics and behaving professionally (Standard IV-E).
- The student will demonstrate knowledge of processes used in research and skills in integrating research principles into evidence-based clinical practice (Standard IV-F).
- The student will demonstrate knowledge and skills in applying contemporary professional issues in clinical practice (Standard IV-G).
- The student will demonstrate knowledge of entry-level and advanced certifications, licensure, and other relevant professional credentials, as well as knowledge and skills in applying local, state, and national regulations and policies in clinical practice(Standard IV-H).
- The student will demonstrate skills in oral and written communication for academic and professional purposes, including the ability to communicate effectively and complete administrative and reporting functions necessary to support evaluation and intervention (Standard V-A and V-B).
- The student will demonstrate evaluation and intervention skills with breadth and depth, across the scope of practice, including the lifespan and culturally and linguistically diverse populations; and demonstrate professional, interactional, and personal skills of collaborating with other professionals and providing counseling regarding communication and swallowing (Standard V-B-1, V-B-2, V-B-3, and V-F.
Graduate Degree Programs in Speech & Hearing Science
- Audiology, AuD
- Speech & Hearing Science, MA
- Speech & Hearing Science, PhD
- optional concentration (PhD only):
- Second Language Acquisition and Teacher Education
for the degree of Master of Arts in Speech & Hearing Science
Department of Speech & Hearing Science
Department Head: Pamela Hadley, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Studies: Raksha Mudar, Ph.D.
Graduate Support: Andrea Paceley
Department of Speech & Hearing Science website
Program website
Department of Speech & Hearing Science faculty
901 South Sixth Street, Room 103, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-2230
Speech & Hearing Science email
College of Applied Health Sciences
College of Applied Health Sciences website
Admissions
Department of Speech & Hearing Science Admissions Info & Requirements
Graduate College Admissions & Requirements